The government of President Nayib Bukele is set to continue its ambitious modernization efforts by tripling the capacity of the Acajutla port as part of Phase 3 of the National Economic Plan. This strategic project aims to position El Salvador as a leading logistics hub in the region.
With a historic investment of $1.615 billion by Yilport Holding Inc., in partnership with the Salvadoran government, the modernization of Acajutla is part of a broader initiative known as the Union Port of the Pacific project. This joint venture will see substantial upgrades to the port’s infrastructure, ensuring it meets the demands of global trade.
«This is not a privatization, nor a concession; this is a mixed economy partnership where the state, through the Autonomous Executive Port Commission (CEPA), remains the owner and operator of El Salvador’s maritime ports,» emphasized Federico Anliker, President of CEPA, during a recent visit to the Acajutla terminal.
Earlier investments in Acajutla, including the nearly $1 billion Pacific Energy project, have already established the port as a key development hub. The first phase of the new modernization plan, set to begin later this year, involves an investment of $709 million. This includes $50 million for immediate infrastructure needs, new equipment, and the construction of a modern pier, container yard, refrigerated warehouse, and maintenance building.
Phase 2 will see an additional investment of $906 million, further expanding the port’s capacity. Once completed, the port will be capable of handling up to 1.6 million containers annually, a significant increase from its current capacity of 500,000 containers.
These efforts are part of President Bukele’s vision to make El Salvador a global benchmark in port efficiency and logistics, ensuring that the country’s ports are recognized for their world-class operations.